Police May Dismiss #2019GantiPresiden Event If Triggers Conflict

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said the police held Law No. 9/1998 on the freedom of expression as the basis for issuing permits of a public event. Thus, the police could dismiss the #2019GantiPresiden (2019 change the president) declaration held in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Saturday, August 25.

"The Police did not receive a notification letter of the act," Setyo said via a short message on Sunday, August 26, adding that based on the regulation, people who want to hold a public event in the public areas such as a demonstration must file a notice.

Setyo asserted the police did not hesitate to dissolve the event if it potentially caused disruption to public order and threatened the unity and integrity of the nation.

According to Setyo, most local people refused the event considering it was held before the campaign period. "Many rejections of the declaration emerge and that can cause conflict," he added.

The #2019GantiPresiden Declaration in Riau was almost turned into chaos because the mass movement nearly collided with its opponents. The opponents’ people even hindered Neno Warisman, one of the activists of the movement, to attend the declaration.

ANDITA RAHMA